Having developed my small urban garden from what started, 25 years ago, as a vegetable patch, it gives me such pleasure I want to share it....

June view 2009

View of rose and herb garden, June 2009

Small Garden Story

Over some 15 + years, I have been photographing the evolution of my small (85 x 15 foot) garden and it seems a waste not to put these records into some sort of context. Beginning here in April 2010 this Blog is intended to both act as a diary and to share past and present successes (and some failures), pleasures and disappointments with fellow garden-lovers. In due course, I intend to fill in some of the background and early days but that will have to wait until the winter months!

Tuesday, 3 June 2014

A few reasons for not planting in tight spaces

It is wonderful to be able to go down the garden during these light evenings - even if tonight I first had to don a warm coat!
Today I noticed the first wild strawberries ripening, the first raspberries on their way and my tiny Sugarsnap pea plants are showing their first blooms too. This is remarkable to me given that they are so tightly squeezed between the strawberries, a gooseberry bush and tall raspberry canes which are completely overshadowing them - virtually all day. To reward them for their efforts I decided to water them - and the heavily fruit-laden strawberries - with some liquid fertiliser. Great idea, except that in trying to squeeze between things I managed to loose my balance, tread on a young pea plant and then break most of it off in trying to replace the dislodged support stick. Grabbing hold of the nearest thing to help my balance was an even worse idea - it being the gooseberry bush. At least this time I managed to get the whole thorn out unlike the last time when it went in so deep it took about a week to work its way out again. Unfriendly things gooseberry bushes!
One other first today - my new Clematis "Sunny Sky" which I threatened to re-home since its flowers proved to be much bigger than I had anticipated (as I bought it on-line) has endeared me by performing so well in its temporary spot - still in its pot - and has begun flowering. I think it's going to have to stay....
Pictures to follow when the light is better.

About Me

As a food photographer based in London my work takes as its inspiration natural organic form. My garden - on a quiet moment - provides the perfect antidote to city life. My dream is to find a small house with a plot of land I can turn into a big garden full of secret rooms brimming with plants and sculptures....